Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon Review (2025)

 

Have you heard of Barrell Craft Spirits? It is a blending house that does fantastic things with whiskey and rum. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, everything Barrell produces is unique and at cask strength.

 

That was, until August 2023, BCS took a chance with Barrell Foundation, a 5-year Bourbon bottled at 50% ABV (100°). I reviewed it and was impressed with the risk taken and the outcome.

 

One year and a handful of months later, BCS released Barrell Foundation Double Barrel. It begins as a blend of Straight Bourbons from Kentucky (8 years), Indiana (5, 6, and 9 years), Tennessee (8 years), and Maryland (5 and 6 years). By the time BCS’s founder, Joe Beatrice, and his team got done with their magic, the mashbill was 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley.

 

But that’s not the end of the story. After blending, the Bourbon was placed into new American oak casks for a second maturation cycle. Once that was done, it was dumped and bottled at 50% ABV (100°). It carries a 5-year age statement, and a 750ml has a suggested price of $54.99.

 

BCS was kind enough to send me a Barrell Foundation Double Barrel sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and discover how it turned out, shall we?

 

Appearance: I poured the Bourbon into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. The darker amber-colored liquid formed a thinner rim, discharging wild, wavy, thick tears. There were several droplets left behind that stuck like glue.

 

Nose: I allowed the whiskey to breathe for about 10 minutes before bringing the glass beneath my nostrils. I inhaled and was exposed to cinnamon, orange zest, caramel, ripe cherries, apples, and chocolate. I pulled that air into my mouth; it was heavy with hazelnuts and cocoa.

 

Palate: The first sip was thin and extremely oily, slipping to various nooks and crannies while my tongue attempted to redirect it to my throat. On the second sip, I could discern what this Bourbon tasted like. The front included cocoa, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee. Marshmallow fluff, cherries, and a bit of orange rind replaced those bold notes. The back tasted of toasted oak, cinnamon, and black pepper.

 

Finish: While I timed its long, 2:10 duration, I sat back, allowing the flavors of dark chocolate, oak, vanilla, orange rind, and cherries to mingle on my tongue and throat.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Barrell Foundation was a tasty Bourbon. Barrell Foundation Double Barrel had plenty of flavor, especially at the front. The mid-palate’s sweeter side wasn’t overwhelming; it gently coaxed my brain in a different direction. The third panel tried distracting me again. It was as if I was having conversations with three other people. Yet, it wasn’t disjointed; there was a fluid conversation.

 

The 100° works well. Am I curious what it would taste like at cask strength? Of course. However, in the case of Barrell Foundation Double Barrel, it makes a fine, neat sipper that will keep you entertained. It is appropriately priced, correctly proofed, and well worth picking up a Bottle. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.